Under 13A 2011/12 Match Reports

League at home to Churchvilla on Saturday 10th March Midleton A 1 Churchvilla 3 After the hiding at Blarney, this was a much better performance from Midleton and could have got something from the game. However, poor first half defending saw Midleton gift the opposition three simple goals without demanding too much effort from the local team. Middleton's defence has been very much Jekyll and Hyde this season with good performances followed by desperate games. However, despite trailing 0-3, their overall performance deserved better and Midleton should have scored at least once and were giving as good as they got.

In the second half the performance improved at the back and they won the second half comfortably 1-0 and missed a number of opportunities. Luke Smith scored the header he deserved for effort alone, and Alex Marij and Luke could have scored more goals. However, poor defending is always punished and Midleton will have to learn to defend better as a team.

League away to Blarney United on Sunday 12th February Blarney United 6 Midleton A 1A poor defensive performance that let the team down badly. Alex Marij's goal was the only bright spot in a dismal mornings work.

Local Cup at home to Passage on Sunday 29th January Midleton 0 Passage 5 This looks like Midelton took a good beating but for most of the game gave as good as they got and the score line is somewhat flattering to their higher division opposition. The difference was 15 minute spell at the end of the first half when Passage were brilliantly clinical in their finishing, creating five chances and finishing them all off skilfully. It would be hard to criticise the defence where players like Conor Daly toiled manfully, but Midleton seldom face teams with the pace, strength and movement of Passage.

In midfield for Midleton, Michael Curtin was excellent, winning tackles and using the ball well. Dylan Finn-Hannon and Daire Daly worked hard to compete for the ball and start attacks. Up front Alex Marij and Luke Smith foraged excellently and made a couple of good chances but were hampered by their fellow striker Chigozie Iganabousi being taken off ill. Shane Veillard replaced him with good effect in his come-back game. In the second half Midleton steadied the ship and again created some chances. Leon Cahill came on and had a super game in defence and the whole team can be proud of their efforts. There were no further goals and apart from that crazy 15 minutes, Midleton gave their loftier opposition a hard game.

League home to Mayfield United on Tuesday 17th January Midleton 1 Mayfield United 0 Midleton came out of a floodlight evening game a win with a determined, hard-working performance, surviving great pressure in the second half of a well-balanced game. In the first half Midleton had the best of a hard fought match with Luke Smith leading the line with fine support from Alex Marij in attack and Chigozie Iganabousi in midfield. Luke produced the best attempt early on with an acrobatic attempt from an Alex Marij cross. Mayfield were also attacking when possible but Daire Daly, Ryan Higgins and Dylan Finn-Hannon were working hard and limiting options in midfield. Alex Marij opened the scoring with a cool penalty after Luke Smith forced a handball with a driving run down the left and it was good reward for a fine first half performance. The Midleton defence were well marshalled by Colin Edgebe and Adam Morris and the full backs, David O’Sullivan and Killian Leahy gave excellent defensive cover. Aaron Harte in goal had a couple of close calls when balls scuttled past the post but was otherwise confident and untroubled.

The second half was largely one-way traffic as Mayfield tried to force an equaliser winning several corners and holding the bulk of possession. Andrew Ryan, the replacement keeper, closed down a couple of attempts and despite the pressure, had few direct shots on target to save. The defence was magnificent. Craig Ryan replaced a tiring Killian Leahy and cleared a number of balls up to the front line in an excellent second half performance. Leo Nicola, Leon Cahill came on in midfield and worked hard in front of the back four. Alex Marij was largely isolated up front but was the ideal lone striker even hitting the post in a breakaway) as Captain Luke Smith went into midfield to marshal his troops. However, the back four fought like demons for every ball and Adam Morris and Colin Edgebe through themselves into every challenge with Adam saving a couple of certain goals. Dylan Finn-Hannon was a powerhouse in midfield and had his best ever game and could have scored a second late on before being foiled by the keeper and the post. However, Adam Morris sneaked man of the match with a game saving performance. This was the performance of the year and all the players deserve credit for the way they played and their attitude.

League away to Evergreen on Saturday 17th December Evergreen 4 Midleton A 4 This was one of those typically bizarre Christmas games. Midleton began slowly and for the first 15 minutes could not defend the simplest ball. The gave away a poor first goal but a Luke Smith poached goal should have calmed nerves but more comic book defending led to a further two Evergreen goals. Luke Smith then scored two great goals from passes from Adam Morris and Alex Marij. Then, Chigozie Iganabousi made a lightening break down the left and squared to Alex Marij who hit an unstoppable shot to allow Midleton to lead 4 - 3 at half time.

The referee who demonstrated a poor understanding of the offside law had a poor second half making some strange decisions. Midleton were unlucky twice, Luke being pulled up twice when through on goal from passes by Adam Morris. The referee gave Midleton nothing, ignoring two challenges on Alex that should have been penalized but giving free kicks against Midleton for the slightest touches. After signaling 5 minutes left the referee played a further 10 minutes before Evergreen scored a goal that was blatantly offside and a draw had been engineered. Luke Smith was back to form and Adam Morris was magnificent in defence saving his team several times and also playing some excellent balls. Daire Daly and Ryan Higgins had good games on the wings and Alex and Michael Curtin were in good form. However, the team must realize that slow starts and uncertainty at the back leads to poor results.

League home to Mallow A on Sunday 4th December Midleton A 1 Mallow A 3 Despite the result this was the best performance of the season. Midleton worked hard and the whole team played well. The defence were strong with Adam Morris, Colin Edgebe and Dylan Finn-Hannon having great games and special praise to Dylan who stood out at fullback. The midfield worked tirelessly and Michael Curtin ran and tackled himself into the ground. Luke Smith and Chigozie Iganabousi were a constant threat. Mallow exerted pressure in the early stages of the game before Midleton came into the game and the attack carved out a couple of chances.

The game was 0 - 0 at half time and Midleton looked the stronger team having a number of chances and Alex Marij was finding himself in space time after time and offering real threat. He scored a super goal with a lob into the top corner and Midleton were very much the better team. Then came the turning point. Alex skipped past a couple of defenders despite attempts to foul him and was through on goal only to have the referee whistle for a foul on him. The referee had a poor game in truth and was about to compound one mistake with another. Mallow scored a scrappy equalizer and attacked again. Having waved play on for a dubious foul on the edge of the Midleton area, calls from the Mallow players and officials sponsored a strange reversal and the Mallow player fired in from the kick. Midleton conceded a final goal as the attacked late on. This wasn't what they deserved but the performance should give them some confidence.

League away to Douglas Hall A on Sunday 30th October Douglas Hall A 3 Midleton A 4 This was nothing if not an exciting game. Midleton began well and soon led through an individual goal from Chigozie Iganabousi who surged down the right and slotted under the goalkeeper at the near post. However, Douglas came back into the game and equalized from a fine free kick from outside the box. Chigozie then ran through from half way and slotted home and although the ref gave the goal he reversed his decision after protests and pulled back play for a handball decision. The Midleton defence were struggling under Douglas pressure and conceded a second before halftime.

Both Douglas and Midleton had chances but Midleton began to look better when Adam Morris moved from midfield to centre-back and looked the more likely scorers. However, Douglas scored on the break to make it 3 - 1 and the game looked over. However, Midleton showed great character and stepped up a gear with the midfield getting well on top of their opponents. Suddenly Chigozie scored after another fine run and Midleton were rampant. From a corner, the ball was cleared by the goalkeeper to the edge of the box where David O'Sullivan hit a left foot volley into the top corner. It was a class goal from a player who is getting better and better every week. Colin Edgebe was now finding good defensive support and pressing into midfield and he found the pass that allowed Chogozie to complete his hattrick. There was still time to see Douglas break away and bear towards goal. However, an excellent and very brave save by Andrew Ryan saw the game safetly finished for a Midleton victory. Chigozie was the star of the show and played his best game for Midleton but the whole team did well and showed the courage needed to change games.

League away to Leeds A on Saturday 22nd October Leeds A 2 Midleton A 1 Midleton knew this was going to be a difficult match when kick-off was delayed because some of the Leeds players had not finished shaving. Midleton are a small team and some of the opposition were taller than their coaches. Despite this the team gave it's all. The played up hill and against a strong wind in the first half and fell behind to a dubious hand ball against Leon Cahill. Leeds then hit a fine shot to go 2 - 0 up. Midleton kept their heads up and at times played some good football and slowly got a foothold in the game. Man of the match David O'Sullivan was playing well in defence and attack and hit a number of dangerous balls in.

In the second half Midleton exerted more pressure and were unlucky not to score on one or two occasions. Alex Marij never gave up and just missed from a narrow angle. Luke Smith moved from Midfield to attack with immediate results and was fouled in the box. It was one of the first decisions the referee gave Midleton in what was a very physical game. Alex Marij dispatched the spot kick but it was too little too late. This was a good performance against a much more "mature" team and all the players should be proud of their days work.

League away to Corkbeg on Saturday 8th October Corkbeg 4 Midleton A 1 Midleton made the short trip to Whitegate for a game against Corkbeg but came up short against a good team. Midleton lined out with 2 players, Aaron Harte Esuto and Leo Nicola, making their debuts. However right from the start of the match Midleton were under pressure with the early midfield exchanges being dominated by Corkbeg. Eventually the pressure told and Corkbeg scored an early goal which was quickly followed by another. Losing 2-0 could have resulted in the heads going down but the team rallied well. Midfield began getting to grip with their oponnents and, with Michael Curtin in particular putting in some good challenges, we began to exert some pressure of our own. After a good spell the ball fell to Luke Smith and he expertly dispatched it to the net leaving the half-time score 1-2.

Despite making a couple of substitutions the second-half started in the same manner as the first and 2 further goals for Corkbeg left the final score 1-4. Good performances came from Colin Edgebe at centre-back, Alex Marij in midfield and Daire Daly playing in an unfamiliar role of centre-forward. However special mention must go to our goalkeeper, Andrew Ryan, who showed his bravery when diving at the feet of the Corkbeg forwards on a couple of occasions.

National Cup at home to Mallow on 24th Sptemeber Midleton 0 Mallow Utd 3 A gallant Midleton team gave a fine performance before being beaten,somewhat unluckily, by 3 goals. Midleton opened brightly and a spell of pressure lead to a handball in the box and a penalty was awarded. Team captain, Luke Smith, took responsibility and stepped up to take the kick. However a good save from the Mallow keeper ensured that the game remained scoreless.The game was then taken to Midleton by the Mallow midfield and they were awarded a free-kick on the corner of the penalty area. A dangerous ball was played across the goalmouth and, although it eluded the oncoming forwards, the ball ended up in the bottom corner of the net.

Midleton responded well to this setback with good work by Colin Edgebe and David O\'Sullivan, in particular, in the back line repelling everything Mallow could throw at them. Midfield began to get a bit of an edge with Michael Curtin and Daire Daly challenging for every ball. The half ended with Midleton on the attack and looking good.

A couple of changes were made at half-time with Chigozie Iganabousi and Craig Ryan replacing Dylan Finn-Hannon and Killian Leahy who had both given their all in the first 30 minutes. The game remained finely balanced until a through ball found a Mallow attacker in space and he gave Andrew Ryan no chance from close range to make it 0-2.

Once again Midleton refused to lie down and a fine finish from Ryan Higgins looked to have brought Midleton back in to the match. However, the referee had other ideas, and the goal was controversially ruled out for offside. Midleton continued to chase the game and Chigozie was unlucky with a long-range shot that seemed to be creeping in but ended up going just wide.

Another controversial moment occurred just before the full-time whistle when a Mallow forward tucked the ball into the net from what looked like an offside position, but the goal was allowed to stand. This was a good performance by Midleton who continue to show improvement but on this occassion luck deserted them.

League home to Richmond on Saturday 10th Sept 2011 Midleton A 2 Richmond 0 On paper this is a Midleton team with the players to succeed at this level; strikers with an eye for goal, classy and hardworking midfielders and some robust defenders. In this game they proved far too strong for Richmond although a strong wind spoiled the game for the spectators. Midleton won with two goals either side of the break. The first from a great run and finish down the left by Chigozie Iganabousi and the second a clinical finish from the right hand side of the goal by Daire Daly (eventually returned from holiday!). Adam Morris captained the game and led a strong defensive effort that saw Richmond have their first good chance in the last minute. Andrew Ryan had a comfortable game and made a couple of good saves as Midleton tired in the second half. There was excellent midfield play at time from Alex Marij, Michael Curtin, Dylan Finn-Hannon and Chigozie who combined well when the wind allowed. Ryan Higgins and Daire Daly joined them in the second half and both provided a threat and good defensive cover. The strike force worked hard all day but the wind made life difficult for them with the ball almost impossible to read. Shane Veillard proved the pick of these and his speed coupled to an appetite to win the ball was a constant threat. A good days work and something to build on.

League away to Douglas Hall on Sunday 28th August Douglas Hall 0 Midleton A 2 REF TAKEN TO A&E IN STRANGE END TO GAME A good start to the season by Midleton; Midleton attacked from the start and made lots of chances before Alex Marij scored his ‘normal majestic goal with a shot from the left hand side of the goal that was beyond the reach of the keeper. Chance after chance was made and Luke Smith, Shane Veillard and Tom Scanlon all missed good chances in the first half. Their wastefulness apart, the trio of strikers ran the Douglas back four ragged and were prompted by good balls from the mid-field and defence.

Michael Curtin was his excellent self and Alex Marij all elegance and skill. Dylan Finn-Hannon had a good game and contributed in defence and attack. Colin Edgebe, Adam Morris and David O’Sullivan were solid at the back but words of praise must go to Killian Leahy who gave his best performance in a Midleton shirt. Andrew Ryan had a great game in goal making two excellent saves and looks like he has played there for years. The pattern of the first half was repeated with Leon Cahill and Chigozie Iganabousi slotting in as substitutes on the right hand side of the team.

Tom Scanlon scored a fine second and Midleton looked like they could run away with it. However, shortly after, the referee suffered chest pains and had to be taken to hospital with the match abandoned. Midleton can only hope the result stands as a fine start to the season.

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